Want flawless makeup? Glow with one of these perfect primers

What is the secret to flawless makeup application? The perfect primer of course. Whether you have dry, combination or oily skin, wearing a primer as a base for your makeup is essential.

Whether you want to blur wrinkles, mattify, minimize the appearance of pores or even out the skin tone, primers do this while creating a flawless base for your makeup. It also holds the makeup in place all day long in the most humid or cold climates. We have picked out our all-time favorite primers, including high-end and mid-price picks.

Face

1. Laura Mercier, Foundation Primer $34

This is an iconic and best-selling product by Laura Mercier. It keeps the makeup in place all day without settling into fine lines or creasing. Despite being light-weight, this creamy formula keeps the skin well hydrated with aloe vera and glycerin. Works great to control the oil yet nourishes the skin. It can be used on dry, combination and oily skin.

2. Smashbox, Photo Finish Primer Water $32

Many of us are in a hurry when it comes to doing our makeup in the morning. However, wearing a strong primer is essential before any makeup application. That is where Primer Water comes in. Simply spritz a generous amount over the face and neck, allow it to absorb into the skin for a few seconds, then apply your makeup. It instantly wakes up the skin, leaving a sheer radiance. It also gives you a flawless makeup base, and prevents it from creasing or smudging throughout the day.

3. MAC, Prep + Prime $31

Almost every makeup artist has this in their kit. It works great for photo shoots as well as for daily use. The gel-textured lotion creates a smooth surface, which allows your makeup to go on smoothly and stay on for hours. Also, a tiny amount goes a long way. It works well for oily skin in particular.

4. Hourglass, Veil Mineral Primer $52

This is the most luxurious primer, gliding smoothly over the skin and creating a beautiful radiant finish. It is a mineral-based, waterproof primer that neutralizes the skin, minimizes shine, and creates a smooth surface for makeup application. The product is oil-free, but still suitable for combination and dry skin. It works great for sensitive skin in particular as it is Paraben-, fragrance- and gluten-free.

Eyes

1. MAC, Paint Pot $22

These little pots of magnificent colors come in 16 different shades, from matte to shimmery textures. What makes these so great is they can be worn alone or used as a base for eye makeup. They blend beautifully into the skin, leaving a flawless finish. It also gives your eye shadow an improved color payoff up to almost 100 percent, and prevents any fallout. The shades “Painterly” and “Soft Ochre” are the best sellers.

2. Smashbox, Photo Finish 24h Primer $20

This is a personal favorite of all eye-shadow primers. It can stand up to long hours, heat and humidity, and locks into a finish that basically nothing can ruin, without drying out the skin. It comes in a light-weight translucent formula, so it can be used on any skin complexion.

3. Too Faced, Shadow Insurance Primer $20

The name of the product certainly does it justice. Since this is silicone-based, it creates a barrier between the oil in your skin and your makeup, which is ideal for oily eyelids. The best thing about it is it prevents fading - a lot of primers do not.

4. NARS, Smudge Proof Eye shadow Base $25

This works great for all skin types, but particularly sensitive skin. It is fragrance-free, dermatologically tested and gentle on the skin, preventing irritation. It does not smudge, crease or look cakey. The thin, creamy texture makes it easy to blend into the skin. Within just a few seconds, the primer will be absorbed into the skin and ready for makeup application.